14. Melina (MNM V Mexicools - WWE Smackdown, 3rd February 2006)

Video: MNM V Mexicools

Melina on her way to the ring

With Melina nursing a slightly injured ankle following a recent encounter with Kurt Angle, MNM entered the ring to defend their tag team titles against the Mexicools. Once again, the valet would prove crucial in determining the result of the match.

Checking her ankle pre-splits

Leading her charges to the ring, Melina checks her ankle is OK before entering the ring with her trademark splits manoeuvre. As usual, a kiss is placed on the cheek of Mercury and Nitro, before their opponents the high-flying Mexicools drive to the ring on mini tractors.

Johnny Nitro and Pscicosis start off proceedings, with the Mexicools soon gaining the upper hand and executing some impressive double-team moves. Indeed, an early pin attempt on Nitro by Super Crazy could have yielded a quickfire win, although a streetwise Melina encourages Mercury to illegally interrupt the count.

The valet applauds her charges' efforts

Mercury and Nitro are then subject to spectacular aerial attacks, firstly from Pscicosis and then Super Crazy who flies over a bystanding referee to take out both members of MNM ringside. With the action back in the ring, Pscicosis then makes an error when flying into the turnbuckle as Mercury moves out of the way, giving the momentum to MNM.

Pscicosis crawls over to Melina as the referee looks elsewhere....

Joey Mercury softens up Pscicosis with a sustained attack, and a double-team move leaves the Mexicool stunned in the corner of the champs. As Mercury moves over to exchange words with Super Crazy with the referee in close pursuit, Melina senses her opportunity to intervene.

The leg-scissors locked on to Pscicosis

Pscicosis somehow crawls over to the ropes, attempting to gain some respite. His naivety is evident though as he places himself within easy reach of MNM's valet with the official otherwise distracted. At 6:00 in, Melina quickly jumps onto the apron and locks onto Pscicosis with a perfectly-executed leg-scissors to the head, leaving the Mexicool's arms flailing as he attempts to escape. The leg-lock lasts five seconds, before the beautiful valet releases Pscicosis to avoid detection by the referee. She can then be seen revelling in her actions, and even sticks her tongue out at the stricken opponent.

A cheeky tongue to Pscicosis

Melina berates the official

With Nitro continuing the attack on Pscicosis, before a double-team move leaves the Mexicool vulnerable to the pin by Mercury, with Melina close by. After three two-counts with Melina berating the official for his slow counting, the valet then decides to claim onto the apron to vent her fury at close hand. However, Pscicosis somehow manages to push Mercury in the direction of the valet, knocking her to ground and leaving her nursing her ankle.

The boot comes off, ready to be used later....

Looking on as the Mexicools take charge

Sensing that his valet is hurt, Johnny Nitro rushes to her aid and helps to remove Melina's boot, as she sits on the steps ringside to recuperate. Meanwhile, back in the ring the Mexicools are now firmly in charge, and MNM's belts are under real threat. A flying backflip from Super Crazy appears to be enough to clinch the win, but Mercury just about kicks out. A further near-pin is then prevented by Nitro intervening, which brings Pscicosis into the ring and attracts the attention of the official.

Melina runs over to Super Crazy....

Super Crazy then decides to go aerial, and climbs the turnbuckle for what he hopes will be a match-winning move. However, Melina can be seen rushing along the apron and levels the Mexicool with her removed boot, leaving Super Crazy prone and pinned by Mercury for the victory.

....before levelling him with with her removed boot

In what was a real nip-and-tuck match, MNM's valet literally proved the difference between Mercury and Nitro retaining or losing their belts. Her first intervention in executing the leg-scissors on Psicosis was perfectly-timed and effective. Indeed, Pscisosis has form in falling prey to the actions of female valets (see post 2 from his WCW days), and once again he was shown to be wanting in this area, suffering the consequences as a result. The replays of Melina's boot attack then reveal that the valet was not injured at all by her fall off the ring apron, as she can clearly be seen running unimpeded to Super Crazy before nailing the wrestler with her boot. That mix of deviousness, coupled with referee positional awareness, and an ability to execute effective attacks at key moments, all combined to secure the win for MNM. While some would see the result as unfair on the Mexicools, they fell short in the face of a skilled, experienced valet who would not be denied victory. MNM-arvelous!